Heaven is chastening this country by the series of disturbances that have taken place.  Chang Hsun, filled with sinister designs, has occupied the capital by bringing up his troops under the pretext of effecting a compromise with the astounding result that last night the Republican form of government was overthrown.  The question of the form of Government is the very fundamental principle on which the national existence depends.  It requires assiduous efforts to settle the form of government and once a decision has been reached on the subject, any attempt to change the same is bound to bring on unspeakable disasters to the country.  Today the people of China are much more enlightened and democratic in spirit than ever before.  It is, therefore, absolutely impossible to subjugate the millions by holding out to the country the majesty of any one family.

When the Republic of China was being founded, the Ching House, being well aware of the general inclinations of modern peoples, sincerely and modestly abdicated its power.  Believing that such spirit deserved handsome recognition the people were willing to place the Ching House under the protection of special treatment and actually recorded the covenant on paper, whereby contentment and honour were vouchsafed the Ching House.  Of the end of more than 20 dynasties of Chinese history, none can compare with the Ching dynasty for peace and safety.

Purely for sake of satisfying his ambitions of self-elevation Chang Hsun and others have audaciously committed a crime of inconceivable magnitude and are guilty of high treason.  Like Wang Mang and Tung Tso he seeks to sway the whole nation by utilizing a young and helpless emperor.  Moreover he has given the country to understand that Li Yuan-hung has memorialized the Ching House that many evils have resulted from republicanism and that the ex-emperor should be restored to save the masses.  That Chang Hsun has been guilty of usurpation and forging documents is plain and the scandal is one that shocks all the world.

Can it be imagined that Chang Hsun is actuated by a patriotic motive?  Surely despotism is no longer tolerated in this stage of modern civilization.  Such a scheme can only provoke universal opposition.  Five years have already passed since the friendly Powers accorded their recognition of the Chinese Republic and if we think we could afford to amuse ourselves with changes in the national fabric, we could not expect foreign powers to put up with such childishness.  Internal strife is bound to invite foreign intervention and the end of the country will then be near.

Can it be possible that Chang Hsun has acted in the interest of the Ching House?  The young boy-emperor lives in peace and contentment and has not the slightest idea of ever ruling China again.  It is known that his tutors have been warning him of the dangers of intriguing for power.  That the boy-emperor has been dragged on the throne entirely against his own wishes is undeniable.  History tells us that no dynasty can live for ever.  It is an unprecedented privilege for the Ching dynasty to be able to end with the gift of special treatment.  How absurd to again place the Tsing house on the top of a high wall so that it may fall once more and disappear for ever.